4 Apple iPhone 6 Rumors Making the Rounds This Week

While Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has yet to announce any details about its next smartphone iteration, there are plenty of rumors about the so-called iPhone 6 circulating on the Internet and in the media. In case you haven’t been paying attention to the Apple rumor mill over the past several months, here’s a quick rundown of the biggest iPhone 6 rumors that have emerged so far.

Multiple media outlets and analysts have predicted that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6 will be available in two larger screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. While component leaks for either model have been few and far between, several images of what appeared to be genuine LCD backlight components for both rumored iPhone 6 sizes have emerged online over the past two months. For this reason, most industry watchers are treating this rumor as a confirmed fact.

Other rumors circulating about Apple’s iPhone 6 include the inclusion of a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip, an upgrade to a higher-resolution display, and the possibility that Apple will implement sapphire as a protective covering for the device’s screen. PTT Research analyst Matt Margolis has uncovered evidence that Apple will have the capability to produce enough sapphire to cover both iPhone 6 models as well as the fabled iWatch. Besides the debut of larger screen sizes and the potential use of sapphire, Apple’s iPhone 6 models are also widely expected to feature more typical upgrades, such as the next-generation A8 processor and an improved battery life.

Now that you are caught up on the biggest iPhone 6 rumors that have emerged so far this year, here is a look at four of the latest rumors that are making the rounds among Apple aficionados this week.

Source: Apple.com

1. iPhone 6 Models Will Feature Two Different Camera Technologies

The source: According to a research note issued by well-connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models will offer two different levels of camera technology, reports Apple Insider. The 4.7-inch model will use a “middle-mount open-loop voice coil motor,” while the 5.5-inch model will feature the pricier and higher quality optical image stabilization (OIS) voice coil motor (VCM).

Although the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 camera will be an improvement compared to the current iPhone 5S camera, it will be less advanced than the camera technology used by many of Apple’s rivals. Kuo also noted that both iPhone 6 models will retain the 8-megapixel rear camera sensor that was first introduced in the iPhone 4S.

The background: While some industry watchers have accused Apple of falling behind in the smartphone camera race by not boosting the iPhone camera’s pixel count, the company has traditionally favored other methods for improving overall image quality. For example, Apple developed the proprietary True Tone dual LED flash for the iPhone 5S. It should also be noted that the new iOS 8 will unlock previously inaccessible camera controls, which will allow Apple users to manipulate photos like never before. According to Kuo, the camera hardware differences between the two iPhone 6 models will allow Apple to better market the phablet-sized device as the premium alternative to the smaller model.

Source: twitter.com/tim_cook

2. Apple’s iPhone 6 Will Be Launched on September 19

The source: Like many Apple rumors, this one originated from insider sources cited by a Chinese media outlet. According to China’s Tencent Digital NewsviaLaoyaoba and GforGames, Apple’s iPhone 6 will be released on Friday, September 19. Although the sources didn’t offer any new evidence for this specific date, the report noted that Deutsche Telekom had previously predicted the same release date, as reported by German website ApfelPage. Besides offering a specific release date for the iPhone 6, Tencent’s sources also predicted that the 32GB capacity 4.7-inch iPhone 6 would retail in China for 5,288 yuan (approximately $850), while the 64GB capacity model would sell for 6,288 yuan (about $1,009).

The background: Since Apple has released its iPhone on a Friday in September over the past two years; a September 19 launch date is not that hard to believe. However, it is unclear if Apple will release both of its new devices on the same day like it did last year. Some analysts and insider sources have suggested that the launch dates for the two iPhone 6 models could be separated by several weeks, with the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 coming first.

Source: twitter.com/SonnyDickson

3. Apple’s 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 Will Be Offered in 128GB Capacity

The source: This Apple rumor also comes courtesy of a Chinese website that cited an unnamed supply chain source. According to the insider source quoted byFeng viaApple Insider, “Apple will add a high-saved version of iPhone 6, which is 128GB. However, 128GB version only for 5.5 inches models.”

The background: Like the rumors about the varying camera capabilities of the two models, this larger capacity option appears to be another way that Apple will position its 5.5-inch model as the premium iPhone 6 device. It should be noted that the largest iPhone capacity currently available from Apple is 64GB. Feng’s unnamed source also predicted that Apple would eliminate the 16GB option for both sizes of the next-generation iPhone, which means that the 4.7-inch model would only be available in capacities of 32GB and 64GB.

4. Video of Genuine 4.7-Inch iPhone 6 Casing?

The source: Japanese tech blogMac Otakaravia9to5Mac has posted a video showing what it claims is a genuine rear casing for a 4.7-inch iPhone 6. The video also depicts a mockup model of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6. While it is impossible to confirm the authenticity of this component, as seen in the video above, the casing appears to have the attachment points that are seen on other iPhone models.

The background: Besides offering further evidence for the existence of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, the video also provides a good idea of how the upcoming iPhone 6 models look in comparison to the iPhone 5S. The rear casing depicted in the video also aligns with previous rumors that predicted the power button would be moved to the side and the flash aperture would return to a circular design, rather than the “pill-shaped” flash aperture introduced on the iPhone 5S.